Before I was a Mom -I slept as late as I wanted and never worried about how late I got into bed. I slept all night.  I showered, brushed my hair and my teeth everyday. Before I was a Mom -I cleaned my house each day. I never tripped over toys or forgot words to a lullaby. I didn't worry whether or not my plants were poisonous. I never thought about immunizations. Before I was a Mom - I had never been puked on - pooped on - spit on - chewed on, or peed on. I had complete control of my mind and my thoughts. I slept all night. I could talk on the phone and go to the bathroom uninterrupted. I ate hot meals. Before I was a Mom -I never held down a screaming child so that doctors could do tests...or give shots. I never looked into teary eyes and cried. I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin, a dandelion, or art created by crayons. I never sat up late hours at night watching a baby sleep. Before I was a Mom -I never held a sleeping baby just because I didn't want to put it down. I never felt my heart break into a million pieces when I couldn't stop the hurt. I never knew that something so small could affect my life so much. I never knew that I could love someone so much. I never knew there was no greater role in life than being a Mom. Before I was a Mom - I didn't know the feeling of having my heart outside my body. I didn't know how special it could feel to feed a hungry baby. I didn't know that incredible bond between a mother and her child. I didn't know that something so small could make me feel so important. Before I was a Mom - I had never gotten up in the middle of the night every 10 minutes to make sure all was okay. I had never known the warmth, the joy, the love, the heartache, the wonderment or the satisfaction of being a Mom. I didn't know I was capable of feeling so much before I was a Mom. Before I was a mom I prayed for you, and now I have never prayed for anyone or anything as much. Before I was a mom I was so many things and because of my children, I am so much more. So blessed and grateful that God chose me to be your Mom ~Author Unknown (with a few additions from me) ~ Happy Mother's Day!! And remember that behind every successful Mom......is a basket of dirty laundry!

Random Acts of Kindness: Day Forty

Random Act of Kindness: Day Forty 
Our Mission: A Tisket A Tasket...A Green and Yellow Basket 
Our Location: Our Neighborhood 
Our Target: A random house with kids. 


The boys decided our last random act of kindness before Easter would be a ding dong ditch. Cooper said that he wanted our first and last random act of kindness to be the same. We decided to fill up a green basket of Easter goodies....A stuffed bunny, a chocolate bunny, two bags of chocolaty treats, bubbles, a windup chickadee, a deck of matching Easter cards and a deck of Crazy 8's, a package of peeps and two long stem bendable daisies: one orange and one blue and the were also pens and filled it with yellow paper grass! We drove all over our neighborhood to find a house to drop off our goodies too. The boys were very excited. We had narrowed it down to just a few when we remembered a house that decorates for Christmas and they always have little girls outside playing. Cooper shouted "Target in Sight". As we pulled up, three girls were riding bikes away from the house along the sidewalk. We turned around in the cul-de-sac and out the boys jumped making their dash to the girls house. They rang the door bell and ran like wild boys back to the car. They could barely contain their excitement and we suspect the girls must have heard the commotion as they turned around to head back to the house. We drove by them and they were smiling and Elliott said "wow, this is what it feels like to be the Easter Bunny". The basket was filled with goodies from the joy, joy, joy, joy, Down in our hearts, (where?) Down in our hearts (where?), Down in our hearts.  We've got the joy joy joy joy, down in our hearts, Down in our hearts to stay!

“The moon is a loyal companion. It never leaves. It’s always there, watching, steadfast, knowing us in our light and dark moments, changing forever just as we do. Every day it’s a different version of itself. Sometimes weak and wan, sometimes strong and full of light. The moon understands what it means to be human. Uncertain. Alone. Cratered by imperfections.” ― Tahereh Mafi, Shatter Me ~ View of the Moon from my backyard!

John 3:16 - The Story of Love

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.....This video interpretation is incredibly touching....and life changing.

Random Act of Kindness: Day Thirty-nine

Random Act of Kindness: Day Thirty-nine 
Our Mission: Basketball for a great cause 
Our Location: Ridgewood Elementary
Our Target: Relay for Life.


Tonight's basketball game is between the K-2 Bull Sharks vs. 3-5 Great Whites....all proceeds go to Relay For Life! the boys won the poster contest and get free pizza, popcorn and drink tonight! Jonathan is playing for the Bull Sharks (and the rules for them game are a hoot! He is allowed one free foul after that he will have to go into the middle of the court and do the funky chicken in front of everyone!!) I will be taking pictures of the teams and the game (and quite possibly a video) We'll be donating to a great cause as our Random Act of Kindness today!! Ridgewood Sharks think a cure for cancer would be JAWSOME!

Random Act of Kindness: Day Thirty-eight

Random Act of Kindness: Day Thirty-eight 
Our Mission: Grocery Store Surprise 
Our Location: Food Lion 
Our Target: Someone in the express checkout line. 


We had to go to Food Lion to pick up some pasta for dinner tonight. Cooper was asking what night of Random Act of Kindness we were on and that got us thinking of what to do while we were there. We were in the express lane and noticed the guy in front of us had a few items. I looked at Cooper and he looked at me, and he said "let's do this". When the cashier rang him up I handed her my MVP card and asked her to ring ours up too. The guy had out his money and was shocked at first seeing my items being scanned and he said "that's ok, I've got it" and we told him it was part of our Random Acts of Kindness. He smiled and said "Thank you all so much". The cashier said that this happens several times in their store and I said that is awesome to hear. I told her that one day we hope to be able to buy someones entire grocery bill one day. The cashier said she has never seen anyone do that before, we told her one day we will! Even the lady behind us was smiling. 


No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted. ~ Aesop ~

What Makes a Person Beautiful

The most beautiful people we have known are those who have known defeat, known suffering, known struggle, known loss, and have found their way out of the depths. These persons have an appreciation, a sensitivity and an understanding of life that fills them with compassions, gentleness, and a deep loving concern. Beautiful people do not just happen. People are like stained-glass windows. They sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in, their true beauty is revealed only if there is a light from within ~ Elisabeth Kubler-Ross ♥